Mario would be awesome, so would be back to the future. I would really like to see famous bands for AFOL'S, not todays crappy bands. I'm talking Beatles, pink floyd, the who, ect..... with different famous syages and performances. I really want more stuff guided towards AFOL'S

Although I generally disagree with the sentiment of LEGO-izing bands... a LEGO version of Stop Making Sense would be AMAZING.

TMNT would be so much better than Ninjago (IMO).. you have the established adult fanbase.. the kids are still into them.. the new cartoon/movie is being made.. there are already an array of characters to choose from.. they are more unique than Ninjas and Skeletons (IMO).. they would make an excellent license..

^ not saying they wouldn't be better, just saying they would compete directly with a product LEGO already produces, and which is already a runaway hit for them. Seems like a bad business move for LEGO.

Doctor Who would be really cool, because all you would need is one Doctor minifigure and it would be backward/forward compatible with ALL sets - but they are already made by some lame other brick company. Why do I have to be teased by these lame attempts at minifigures, it would be better if they were never made at all!Other than that, I really think its more fun to have sets without licensing, they seem to be better values and the whole point is you can be creative, you don't have a set storyline when you build it - maybe it's cheaper for LEGO to just pay some film company use their movie scenes for a set instead of paying a designer to sit and come up with their own ideas.

Here's a list of the top 35 grossing movie franchises of all time (with R rated movies removed), with the number of moves made after the name. Notice the number of these franchises Lego has already licensed.

Conspicuously at the top of the list is Shrek. I could see that being done, but there are no plans I know of for a new Shrek movie, so I think Shrek's time has passed. If Lego was going to do it, they would have done it already.

James Bond, not gonna happen. Kids don't care about James Bond.

Avatar. I could totally see that, during the run-up for the new movies. Avatar 2 isn't coming out until 12/2015, with Avatar 3 in 12/2016. I wouldn't be surprised if the original is re-released in 2014 or 2015 also. That would give LEGO a license lasting 2+ years easy. Look for the Avatar license in 2015!

I totally expect a Monsters Inc line next year, that will run the length of the year. The re-release and then the new one in June is just perfect timing. It makes way too much sense, and they could really make some awesome stuff.

Lone Ranger is a wildcard. That could be fun. A renaissance of the old UK Cowboys and Indians theme. Could happen.

Already mentioned Avatar.

That leaves Phineas and Ferb. Frankly, I'm surprised they haven't done this already. There is a Lego Phineas and Ferb board game rumored to be coming out this year, so that would lead me to believe this is their next big license, maybe Jan. 2013. That would be perfect timing with the movie coming out in July. I think that's a lock to be the next license.

It sounds like another movie license is not in the cards.. they have pretty much cashed in on every successful movie franchise (I'm starting to agree that Monsters Inc. will be the next Disney theme.. followed by Wreck it Ralph).. TV shows.. there are probably some opportunities.. people have mentioned the Simpsons, Phineas and Ferb, Muppets, and probably others that I've forgotten.. has LEGO ever done a licensed series based off of a TV show (I mean without a movie tied to the show - so Clone Wars doesn't count)?.. Video games is an interesting arena.. Nintendo would be the most solid license I think.. there are tons of characters, all unique, and they wouldn't really intrude on other licenses or themes.. I'm aware that MegaBloks currently holds this license, but it had Marvel at one point.. so anything is possible..

I still suspect that Star Trek is viable. There's a new movie coming and another also in early stages. Additionally, Bryan Singer's got a proposed series waiting in the wings though they have said that nothing will move forward on that until at least after the latest movie hits theatres next year. So I wouldn't count Star Trek out seeing as it has a bigger future than Star Wars (Episode I 3D was a bust and the live-action series isn't coming anytime soon).

^Well, I'm not so sure. SW future is firmly grounded in continual re-inventions of the existing movies for futures waves of kids, as well as animated Clone Wars-style cartoons. Lucas is a master of one thing for sure - repeatedly prostituting his original creation at the alter of creating a continuous stream of customers.

As for Star Trek - it's never been for kids. The bigger themes and issues in play have always, from the outset of the Original series, been more adult in nature (not in a sexual or violent way, but in a cognitive thinking one), and there's been a pretty heavy reliance on more complex science fiction throughout as well.

Honestly, how many 6 to 11 year old kids (LEGO's "core target market") have EVER been into ST? How many were into the last movie or the upcoming one? That audience is much more teen and adult than child.

Could LEGO sell UCS-style ship models to adults? Absolutely, by the boatload. But playsets? not to kids in any numbers, though I'm sure adults would eat them up for the minifig aspect. This would be a whole new kind of venture for LEGO to take on a license though, unlike anything they have done in the recent past.

^Well, I'm not so sure. SW future is firmly grounded in continual re-inventions of the existing movies for futures waves of kids, as well as animated Clone Wars-style cartoons. Lucas is a master of one thing for sure - repeatedly prostituting his original creation at the alter of creating a continuous stream of customers.

As for Star Trek - it's never been for kids. The bigger themes and issues in play have always, from the outset of the Original series, been more adult in nature (not in a sexual or violent way, but in a cognitive thinking one), and there's been a pretty heavy reliance on more complex science fiction throughout as well.

Honestly, how many 6 to 11 year old kids (LEGO's "core target market") have EVER been into ST? How many were into the last movie or the upcoming one? That audience is much more teen and adult than child.

The same could be said about Indiana Jones or LOTR or anything else marketed as a movie. These movies target teen and young adult audiences more than they do children.

As for the last Star Trek film, it was dumbed down for a wider audience which one of the reasons it was the highest grossing Star Trek film yet.

but the basic themes of both IJ and LotR are fairly universal and simple for even kids to understand - And a lot more entertaining (action-oriented) for kids than ST ever has been. ST has always been much less about action, and much more about dialog and thought-provoking, sciency plotlines (last move excepted of course).

I'm a huge trekkie, but I struggle to see the kid-appeal in general. I could be wrong of course.

but the basic themes of both IJ and LotR are fairly universal and simple for even kids to understand - And a lot more entertaining (action-oriented) for kids than ST ever has been. ST has always been much less about action, and much more about dialog and thought-provoking, sciency plotlines (last move excepted of course).

I'm a huge trekkie, but I struggle to see the kid-appeal in general. I could be wrong of course.

The shows were but the movies were more action-oriented, especially the last one. In the realm of licenses which are active, Trek is the biggest remaining holdout (something which many said about LOTR). I don't know if Lego will do it but then again I don't know what Lego will ever do. If I did, I'd also turn my attention to the lottery. :-D

I worked at Target unloading trucks when the Star Trek reboot came out. There was 1/6 (that is how the shelves are/were divided) of shelf space for toys for that film and the product barely moved. A lot of it languished on clearance and Trek quickly disappeared from the store entirely. Meanwhile Star Wars had tons more shelf space and was constantly getting bought and refilled. Kids just didn't care about the Trek stuff.

The last two were apparently huge flops though...there is really no substitute for the marketing machine of a major Hollywood blockbuster to drive toy sales. Obviously, that's no guarantee (I got a full collection of Green Lantern toys at 85% off!) but especially a multi-movie franchise has to be a much lower-risk proposition than even a very successful TV show.On the other hand, the success of Ninjago in media has to be making LEGO consider the benefits of spin-on rather than spin-off, turning its house brands into successful media franchises too... that's big big money, potentially. I actually hope they go that direction a bit because it means they will take more risks with house themes even at the cost of a few flops, which means more themes to choose from for us, more new parts, all that good stuff. Whatever greases the creativity engine is good...

Dino should have been Jurassic Park.. all you need is stickers with the J. Park logo and you're golden.. I think Jurassic Park 4 has been in the works since 2005.. I keep hearing rumors about it and then they die out.. if that movie comes along.. I think we have a good chance at a nice license (much like Indy)..

A Roman Empire theme would be amazing. It seems like such a no brainer that there must be SOME reason why TLG has not produced one yet. The Romans were some of the most prolific builders in history, not to mention kids love learning about that stuff in school. Imagine a Trajan's Market, or a UCS Coliseum? Perhaps it has something to do with TLG's aversion to anything historical? On a similar note, I've always thought if they released a "founding fathers" minifig collection for the USA market it would also make a killing in sales.

@thornie.. your Roman Empire ideas/reasoning are great.. I don't know if TLG has always avoided history.. the castle/pirate sets seem pretty historical.. even though they are a little fantasy.. I'm sure the Rome sets would have to have a little bit of fantasy thrown in to make them exciting..

I don't know if the founding fathers would "make a killing".. I'm from the US.. pretty into history.. and I know I wouldn't buy those minifigs.. haha.. maybe you are just really biased toward the founding fathers for some reason.. I don't know how well the kiddies will respond either.. might be a snore.. to each his own.

But more than anything, the child in me wants... THE DARK CRYSTAL. Ohhh, my eyes go slack, head lolls gently back, drool gargles in me throat... Reawakening, Wiki suggests that there is a long-delayed sequel in the works. Not sure if this is good or bad news, but Lego should pay attention!!!!!

On the other hand, the success of Ninjago in media has to be making LEGO consider the benefits of spin-on rather than spin-off, turning its house brands into successful media franchises too... that's big big money, potentially. I actually hope they go that direction a bit because it means they will take more risks with house themes even at the cost of a few flops, which means more themes to choose from for us, more new parts, all that good stuff. Whatever greases the creativity engine is good...

I very much agree with this. There has to be a ton of discussion at Lego these days, about the utter success of Ninjago and the impact a tv show has had.

While Lego has had amazing success with licenses, and while I believe Lego will continue to search for licenses, I believe they will be seriously looking at the method they have used with Ninjago for future lines.

I think one thing this thread has shown, as that while there are some good ideas out there, looking at the upcoming movies... at the moment I am not seeing too many big wow factor movies for licenses. The tricky part with movie licenses is that it has to hit that 6-11 age bracket. A license like Cars is cool, but is a bit young for that bracket. I suspect Monsters Inc or Shrek would be similar. I think it is why it makes sense for Lego to seriously explore video games/book licenses more, but then it goes back to a movie helps to drive, when you want multiple lines.

For all those wanting Star Trek. It's not going to happen (not in the near future at least). Besides what was pointed out earlier that it may be in the agreement with Lucas not to have any SciFi license up against Star Wars, there is the much bigger issue that Kre-O (owned by Hasbro) have the license for the upcoming Star Trek movie and will be producing brick based sets.

There aren't any pics out but I believe it was announced at a Toy Fair. I don't want to fill this lego site with non-lego talk, but a quick google search of kre-o and star trek will give you more information.